If your Kia Soul’s traction control light turns on briefly, traction control has been activated to keep your vehicle from skidding. However, your Soul’s traction control and ABS (anti-lock braking system) lights share the same control module and internal self-diagnostics system—which means that either can switch (and stay) on if you’re experiencing issues with your ABS.
So, if either light turns on, should you head to a car repair
shop, or can you just keep on driving? Will it be an expensive repair, or is it a minor problem? Read on to discover the common reasons your Kia’s ABS and/or traction control light might stay on. Why your Kia Soul ABS or traction control light turns on
Your Kia Sou’s traction control system (TCS) and anti-lock braking system (ABS) lights can be pretty confusing. That’s because sometimes they turn on simply to indicate that the relevant systems are engaged and working as intended—and other times they’re indicating an issue.
The TCS uses sensors in the wheel bearing assembly to monitor the speed of each wheel and detect a loss of traction. If the sensors detect an issue, they’ll send the information to the traction control module, which will then pulse the brakes on the affected wheel(s) to keep your vehicle from skidding out. When this happens, the TCS light (which typically looks like a little car with wavy skid lines behind it) will flash briefly.
Similarly, your ABS monitors your wheel speed and helps pump your brakes in a heavy braking situation to keep you from skidding out. Like the TCS, when your anti-locking brake system activates, the corresponding light on your dashboard should flash briefly.
However, if any of the components involved in either of these systems—from the sensors and wheels to the control module itself—experience a malfunction, the lights may stay on (and sometimes be accompanied by other warning lights).
And to cause further confusion, your Soul’s traction control and ABS (anti-lock braking system) lights share the same control module and internal self-diagnostics system—which means that either can switch (and stay) on if you’re experiencing a problem with either system.
To help clear things up, let’s break down some of the possible causes of an ABS or traction control malfunction
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Temporary loss of traction
If you’re driving in icy, wet, or snowy conditions that could cause your wheels to lose traction, or if you need to slam on your brakes and stop your vehicle quickly, you may experience a temporary loss of traction. In turn, your TCS or abs light will quickly flash and are nothing to be nervous about. However, if either light stays on and/or is accompanied by other warning lights, it may be indicative of a problem. You’ll need to take your Soul to a mechanic for inspection if this is the case.
Faulty wheel speed sensors
Your TCS and ABS can malfunction thanks to a failing wheel speed sensor. This is a pretty common problem, as these sensors are mounted on your Kia’s wheels and therefore subject to a lot of rough conditions and can wear out over time. A broken steering wheel position sensor can also cause either system to fail.
If your traction control light won’t turn off, take your car to a repair shop or mobile mechanic
to check the wheel speed sensors. You can also use an OBD-II scan tool to check for trouble codes associated with these sensors. Anti-lock braking system (ABS) malfunction
As we explained, your traction control system and anti-lock brake system
are closely related since they use the same control module. Thus, if there’s a problem with your anti-lock brakes, your traction control light might accompany your ABS light. If the ABS light and traction control lights are both on, it’s time to bring your Kia to an auto repair shop or dealership to service the stability control system.
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Low tire pressure
Another common problem leading to TCS and ABS troubles is low tire pressure. Your wheel sensors can interpret low tire pressure as a traction problem, causing the TCS light to turn on. A bad tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) could also trigger this issue.
If your traction control light comes on and you don’t see any other warning lights, you should check your car’s tire pressure.
Broken TCS/ABS control module
The control module for your Soul’s traction control and anti-lock braking systems can malfunction, causing the “service traction control” light to turn on. You may also notice that the check engine light is on
. If the light stays on even in normal road conditions, bring the vehicle to a mechanic or your local Kia dealership to check the control module.
Traction control system turned off
Your traction control systems are always on—unless you turn them off by pressing the electronic stability control (ECS) light and holding it for three seconds.
If you turn your ECS off, either or both the TCS or ABS lights could illuminate. Before taking your vehicle to a mechanic, double-check to ensure you haven’t accidentally turned the systems off yourself.
Can you drive with the traction control light on?
You can absolutely drive your Kia with the traction control light on, but proceed with caution in bad conditions, and do not tailgate other vehicles.
Again, if the light only turns on temporarily when you’re navigating treacherous roads, that’s normal and means that the system is working properly. If the light stays on, it means that the system is disabled, which could lead to increased wheel slip on slick roads, or cause issues should you need to slam on the brakes for any reason.
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